California Obituaries
Monterey County
Jim Conway
Submitted by Marcia Chauvin
This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm
Jim Conway
October 23, 1945 ~ March 21, 2010
Monterey county - Jim Conway, 64, passed away on Sunday March 21, 2010 at home after a long
battle with cancer.
Jim was born Jimmie Don Conway on October 23, 1945 in Hope, Arkansas to Jack and Winfred
Wise Conway. When Jim was nine months old, the family moved to Carlsbad, New Mexico where
he grew up in the wide open spaces, playing cowboy and baseball.
In high school, Jim met the love of his life Deborah (Debie) Waters and was married the summer
of 1963. Soon after they were married, they moved to Las Vegas, New Mexico where Jim attended
New Mexico Highlands University. Their son, James (Jimmy) was born there. Jim earned his Bachelor
of Arts degree (1968) in history and political science. Jim then enlisted in the United States Marine
Corps and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in l969. Later that year Jim and Debie had a
daughter, Jennie. When she was ten months old Jim began a years tour in Vietnam. Jim was
honorably discharged from the Marine Corps at the rank of Captain.
He was then hired by Carnation Company in Stockton, California as Supervisor of Distribution Services.
In 1977 Jim began work with the Spreckels Sugar Company and worked there as the Superintendent
of Warehousing and Distribution until the plant closed in 1995. Being too young to retire when the
plant closed, Jim decided to follow his passion for history and go back to school to get his Master of
Arts degree in U.S. History at San Jose State University in May 1999. His graduate thesis was titled
"Spreckels Sugar Company: The First Fifty Years". He was a member of Phi Alpha Theta, National
History Honor Society and Pi Gamma Mu, National Social Science Honor Society.
The following year Jim was hired part time by the City of Monterey as a Research Assistant and
Museum Attendant. In 2003 Jim authored the book, "Monterey Presidio, Pueblo, and Port". Since 2008
Jim has served on the Monterey County Historical Advisory Commission to Monterey County Board of
Supervisors. When he died his title was the City Museum and Cultural Arts Manager. But he was most
proud and honored to be called the City's Historian.
Jim enjoyed serving as a volunteer firefighter for Spreckels Volunteer Fire Company for 20 years,
retiring as First Assistant Chief. Jim was a San Francisco Giants fan and coached Babe Ruth baseball
from 1978-1981. He was Past President of Monterey County Genealogy Society. He made numerous
friends lecturing about the Civil War, his original history passion. He was a runner and ran the Big
Sur Marathon in 1987 and l989, and the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C. in 1989.
Preceded in death were Jim's father, Lewis Jack Conway (1981) and sister, Cherry Jo Robb (1973).
Jim is survived by Debie Conway, his wife of 47 years; son, Jimmy and his wife, Darcie Conway;
daughter, Jennie Conway-Shwaiko and his two grandchildren Kruz Conway and Elizabeth Shwaiko,
along with his mother Winfred Conway. Recently he expressed his only regret: Not seeing his
grandchildren graduate from high school.
Celebration of Life at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 10, 2010 at Toro County Park, located at the
Portola Drive exit off Highway 68. For entrance into the park tell the gate keeper that you are
attending Jim's service. Lunch following the service.
Memorial donations can be made to Colton Hall Museum Trust Fund, City of Monterey, City Hall,
Monterey, CA 93940.
Arrangements by Struve and Laporte Chapel.
Online condolences: www.struveandlaporte.com
Published in Monterey Herald from March 24 to March 27, 2010